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The Auston Matthews Fallout: Expect Changes in Toronto

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Mar 13, 2026 6:13 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are taking significant heat right now, primarily over their lack of immediate response to a dirty knee-on-knee hit on captain Auston Matthews during Thursday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Analysts and fans are taking the entire roster to task, with some suggesting the organization should be ashamed and predicting possible changes.

The incident happened in the second period as Matthews was attempting a move in the slot when Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (a repeat offender with a history of suspensions) extended his leg for a direct knee-on-knee collision. Matthews dropped, grabbed his left knee, and needed help leaving the ice. He didn’t return. Gudas received a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct (ejection). His hit is being reviewed by the NHL DoPS, and a suspension is likely.

The Leafs are waiting on an MRI on Friday to assess the extent of the injury.

The Lack of a Reaction in Toronto Has Everyone Talking

The Leafs went on to win 6-4, snapping an eight-game losing streak, but the win was overshadowed by the lack of response from the rest of the roster after their captain was targeted.

The biggest backlash isn’t the hit itself. What’s got everyone so bent out of shape is that no Leafs players immediately jumped in to defend Matthews or retaliate against Gudas. Elliotte Friedman suggested the team has a “broken spirit,” noting players on the ice saw it and did nothing. Luke Fox at Sportsnet called it “embarrassing,” “pathetic,” and symbolic of locker-room and culture problems.

Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 wrote:

“Not sure why people are surprised by no response from TOR after hit on Matthews. That is their culture. They have a few guys like McCabe and Domi, who will stand up, but their leadership core never has. You can change coach, GM all you like, but they don’t set the on-ice tone. Crosby and Malkin stood up for themselves and team followed. Kane, Toews and Keith did for Chicago. Doughty did with the Kings. Ovechkin in Washington. Point, Kucherov and Hedman in TB. MacKinnon and Landeskog in COL. Stone, Pietrangelo in VGK. Tkachuk, Bennett, Ekblad in FLA. McDavid and Draisaitl push back. TOR core never has. It isn’t in them and it filters down.”

Even the Maple Leafs players realize they messed up.

Morgan Rielly took “full responsibility” for not responding sooner, saying they didn’t realize the severity at first.

John Tavares admitted the team “should have jumped in” and needed a better reaction.

Are Changes Coming as a Result of the Blowback?

As for possible changes: expect the team to address their identity in the offseason. There aren’t going to be trades now. But healthy scratches could be on the horizon. After all, the Maple Leafs have nothing to lose, with the exception of a draft pick if they don’t finish in the bottom five of the lottery. In fact, this is the time to send a message, as losses will actually help the team in the long run.

When it comes to coaching, if Craig Berube wasn’t on the hot seat before, he probably is now. There have been issues under Berube for most of the season, but if a coach like him, who used to be anything but “soft” as a player, can’t get his team to push back, a change may be in order.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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